State digest 01/18/06

Cape sees less than an inch of snow

The National Weather Service said the Cape Girardeau area saw less than an inch of snow Tuesday afternoon. Snow accumulated mostly on grassy areas. Today's forecast is for clear skies and a high of 50.

Bill would give higher ed board more teeth

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state Coordinating Board for Higher Education would finally get more power to coordinate higher education under a proposal heard Tuesday. Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, has introduced a pair of bills that would allow the board to fine public colleges and universities that disregard policy up to 1 percent of a school's yearly state allocation. Schools would have to agree to binding arbitration by the coordinating board. Central to Nodler's effort is a dispute between Southeast Missouri State University and Three Rivers Community College.

-- From wire reports